Some dates to be made aware of:

• January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr holiday no school for students
• January 18 - report cards, standardized test scores, and Income Form for breakfast/lunch will be sent home w/students
• February 17 - school wide Spelling Bee
• February 22 - spring photos taken by Lifetouch
• February 23 - concerts: Kdg & 1st at 5PM, 2nd & 3rd at 6PM, 4th & 5th at 7PM
• February 24 - parent/teacher conference day, no school for students
• March 10 - teacher work day for end of quarter 3, no school for students
• March 13 - 17 - spring break, no school for students
• March 20 - start of 4th quarter (9 weeks of school left)
• Every Monday - school starts at 10:15 instead of 9:15, buses run same schedule but an hour later, school dismisses at normal time 3:45.
• Every Thursday - no bus transportation except for special ed busing. Students must be dropped off and picked up.

There will be special ed buses.

In Alaska, in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, district Title I, Part A schools are required to provide timely notice to parents when students have been assigned or taught for 4 or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who does not meet applicable state certification or licensure requirements at the grade level(s) and subject area(s) in which the teacher has been assigned. ESSA Sec. 1112(e)(1)(B)(ii). Click on this link Teachers Out of FIeld.pdf (matsuk12.us)to find a list of teachers who are currently teaching in an area that they are working to get certified in on our District website.

Big Lake Elementary has no teachers teaching out of field this school year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us at 907-892-9700.

What is it? Science Olympiad is a program aimed at increasing interest in various scientific fields of study. Kids will participate by using the scientific method and the engineering design process to solve problems and answer questions.

When does it meet? We meet after school every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45 to 5:00. Parents should be at the school by 5:00 to pick up their child. Our first meeting will be on Thursday, January 12th. Students will be expected to complete a couple projects at home and there may be some studying that will need to be done at home.

Who can attend? 4th and 5th graders, limited to the first 15 students.

Choir, Keyboarding Club aka group piano lessons, and Band are continuing to be offered this semester. Contact Mrs. Hardman if you'd like to join.

Mark your calendar - Grade level concerts on Thursday, February 23rd. This will not feature the band or choir, but all students will be encouraged to come participate in their evening concert that night.

5th grade has 4 events they compete in:

• Scissor Broad Jump
• One Foot High Kick
• Eskimo Stick Pull
• Alaskan High Kick

The 10th Annual JNYO Event will be February 10 & 11, 2023 at Houston Jr/Sr High School.

The JNYO State Tournament will be February 24th, 25th and 26th at the Wells Fargo Sports Arena in Anchorage.

• 3rd thru 5th graders have reviewed the chromebook responsibilities and expectations. Parents can learn how to use the parent Go Guardian app by going to the link below. The link will have the price lists for repairs and replacements of chromebooks.
• 2nd thru 5th grades have been reviewing sources for research of non-fiction topics.
• Kdg and 1st are reviewing library skills and shelf marker usage. We hope to be taking home our practice books soon!

Free Covid testing still available at Big Lake Elementary

Free Kinsa Thermometer available at Big Lake Elementary

Contact the nurse at 907-892-9705.

GWC is selling stickers that they designed for 50 cents each. The money is going towards purchasing supplies for the club. Purchase from Mrs. Earns in room 21.